The mother of a young Congressional intern shot and killed in Washington, DC, says her son’s death has shone a light on the dangers lurking in the nation’s capital.
Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym, 62, spoke to the Daily Mail about the loss of her 21-year-old son, Eric, and expressed support for President Donald Trump’s recent federal takeover of the city’s police force.
Son Killed Near the White House
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym was fatally shot on June 30 while heading to a late-night McDonald’s near the Mount Vernon Square Metro, just a mile from the White House.
Police have classified his death as a homicide but have not identified a suspect. Authorities believe he was an innocent bystander and not the intended target.
The University of Massachusetts graduate had spent the summer interning for Republican Representative Ron Estes on Capitol Hill, an area many assume should be heavily protected.
Eric became Washington’s 85th homicide of the year, amid a weekend of widespread shootings.
Mother Speaks Out on Loss and Government Response
Speaking from her home, Tamara described her heartbreak and anger as she looked at the urn containing her son’s ashes. “I am so friggin’ angry.
This person took my son’s life after he suffered for four years with health problems,” she said.
Eric had a heart condition and had regularly visited doctors over the years.
His mother said she had expected an asthma attack or heart issue, not a stray bullet, to take his life.
Despite her grief, Tamara feels Eric’s death has helped government officials understand the dangers residents face in DC.
“My son didn’t die in vain.
He’s an angel, and his death has allowed our government officials to see what life really means for all the people in DC who have been murdered, carjacked, raped, and assaulted,” she said.
Trump Federalizes DC Police and Deploys National Guard
On Monday, President Trump announced he would federalize the Metropolitan Police Department and send in National Guard troops to restore order.
Tamara praised the move, saying Trump is “110 percent right” to clean up what should be one of the safest areas in the US.
She also called for the city council to be removed, arguing that DC residents deserve better protection.
Trump highlighted the city’s crime, comparing the violence to that in Baghdad and describing DC as overrun by “violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged out maniacs and homeless people.”
He vowed to remove homeless encampments from parks and public lands and to restore law and order.
Controversy and Local Backlash
The federal action has sparked protests outside the White House, with demonstrators holding signs saying “Free DC” and “No National Guard.”
Many locals acknowledge crime is an issue but argue the city is improving and that Trump’s intervention oversteps local governance.
A recent Washington Post-Schar School poll showed 71 percent of DC residents believe Trump is too involved, even though crime and violence remain top concerns.
The Democratic Mayors Association condemned the federal takeover, arguing that Trump’s actions undermine ongoing public safety programs.
Community Impact and Public Support
Tamara shared that, despite her grief, she has been comforted by an outpouring of kindness from friends and strangers.
Cards and messages expressing support and prayers have given her some solace during this devastating time.
She remains hopeful that her son’s death will lead to real changes in Washington.
“We should be safe in our nation’s capital. Millions of people walk those streets every day—school-aged children, tourists, dignitaries.
Crimes are happening all over, and it needs to stop,” she said.
Rising Concerns Amid Violence
The tragic shooting of Eric is part of a larger pattern of violence in the city.
A separate incident involved a 19-year-old Social Security Administration staffer assaulted during an attempted carjacking near a busy nightlife corridor.
Trump cited such incidents as justification for his federal intervention and the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to the city.
Tamara hopes that stricter penalties for violent crimes, including rape and carjacking, will follow alongside the federal measures.
“If you’re not safe in America from violent criminals, we have a big problem, and Trump realizes that,” she said.